expressions of honest doubts / reservations , and being honest . Pelayo and Gonzeles ’ s performances are striking ; each actor ’ s character depiction fortifies the likability of the whole . Production values are well-executed , Isabella Summers ’ s music versatile , complimentary . By the end of this prepossessing , delightful film it is clear discovering the secrets of the universe is open to all of us . 96 minutes .
PRISCILLA
Review by Becky Tan
Priscilla is a docudrama or biopic , which means that actors play roles representing the true stories of real people . Here Cailee Spaeny takes on the role of Priscilla Presley , the wife of Elvis Presley , played by Jacob Elordi . Elvis is stationed at a US Air Force base in Germany at age twenty-four , where he meets Priscilla , ten years his junior . After two years of seeing each other , he returns to Memphis , Tennessee , thinking that his life will continue without her . But it doesn ’ t . She follows Elvis to Tennessee , where she attends an all-girls Catholic high school . They marry in 1967 when Priscilla comes of age ; their daughter , Lisa Marie , is born February 1 , 1968 . Priscilla always seems to be much smarter than husband Elvis , so that their divorce , six years later , is not surprising . Now Priscilla can concentrate on her own life .
Priscilla ’ s book Elvis and Me was published in 1985 and is the basis for this film by director Sofia Coppola . Naturally , music plays a major role . I counted forty-five songs , including well-known ones from Elvis ’ s career such as “ Heartbreak Hotel .” However , not a single song is an original Elvis recording . Priscilla , now seventy-eight , supported the film as executive producer . It must have been sorrowful to “ re-live ” some past experiences , e . g ., Elvis died in 1977 and her daughter , Lisa Marie , died in January 2023 . Filmed in Toronto , Canada , Priscilla premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival and then appeared at the 2023 Filmfest Hamburg . One must see and enjoy the film , first because Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi are excellent and , second , because the Elvis / Priscilla era is a firm part of our history . 110 minutes .
© MUBI
PRISCILLA
ITALY | USA 2023 OPENED JANUARY 4 , 2024
DIRECTED BY SOFIA COPPOLA WRITING CREDITS : SOFIA
COPPOLA , SANDRA HARMON , PRISCILLA PRESLEY
PRINCIPAL ACTORS : CAILEE SPAENY , JACOB ELORDI , ARI
COHEN
CURRENTS 51